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Trans-Siberian Golden Program Guide
A journey on the Trans-Siberian railway is rated among the ultimate trips of a lifetime. And for a good reason! It's simply an unmatchable experience to cross 1/3 of the globe during one unforgettable vacation, exploring the best of Russia along the way.
But often, travelers are not sure what exactly to expect from the trip. They have dozens of questions, like will there be stops along the way and what cities are "must" visit during this remarkable experience.
To help you out, we've prepared this guide on the Trans-Siberian railway adventure featuring all you need to know about our Golden Program.
On this page, you can find a brief overview of your itinerary, information about the Russian Railways trains that will carry you through the biggest country in the world, as well as everything you need to know about the accommodations we've chosen for your city stays.
Why Explore Trans-Siberian Railway With Our Golden Program
As you know, the Trans-Siberian railway is the longest train route in the world. It takes about a week to get from Moscow to Vladivostok onboard a train, which is partly exciting, partly intimidating. Yes, such a long train journey can be challenging, this is why our Trans-Siberian Golden Program features pit-stops in the remarkable Russian cities along the way. This itinerary combines several nights onboard with stays in top-notch hotels, so you would fully enjoy the trip without risking getting tired of the ride.
But changing trains doesn't seem like a much better option, right? To carry your luggage all the time and make yourself at home all over again every time the next part of your trip begins. Well, we have some great news here. You don't have to do any of that, as we offer you to travel all the way in the same private 1st-class train car! It is detached from a train and locked during stops with overnight stays in local hotels, so you can safely leave your belongings onboard.
The literary program promises a truly authentic experience and plenty of memories you will treasure for years to come. Your journey starts with three days in Moscow, the glorious capital of Russia, then you proceed to Ekaterinburg, the capital of the Ural Region and a city where that last Russian Tsar, Nicholas II, and his family were murdered.
The next stop is the awe-inspiring Listvyanka Village on the shores of Lake Baikal. There, you can admire the stunning beauty of natural landscapes and enjoy authentic Russian banya or sauna. Afterward, you set off to wonderful Irkutsk, home to one of the main monasteries in Siberia - Sign Monastery, also known as the Znamensky Monastery. Your final stop is the fascinating city of Ulan Bator where you get a chance to meet a real Nomadic Family, explore the Genghis Khan Statue, and enjoy a traditional folk show.
Commonly Asked Questions About Trans-Siberian Railway
Is it safe to travel on the Trans-Siberian Railway?
Yes, during the whole journey from Moscow to Ulan Ude, your group will be accompanied by an experienced tour leader. What is more, we offer a 24/7 support line that will help you to resolve any problems if needed.
Is the Trans-Siberian Railway boring?
Not at all! Yes, the non-stop train journey that lasts for 7 days can be tiresome. But this is not the case with our Trans-Siberian Golden Program, as we offer a very balanced itinerary, combining picturesque train rides with amazing city breaks, filled with exciting sightseeing tours and unique activities. Plus, spending time with like-minded people who share this experience with you can never be boring!
How much does it cost to ride the whole Trans-Siberian Railway?
To explore the longest railway in the world (and the wonders of Russia along the way) with our program takes 14 days, features 5 unique cities, and costs about 8000 USD per person.
City Stays & Accomodation Options
This tour features stays in Moscow, Yekaterinburg, Irkutsk, Listvyanka Village, and Ulan Bator, and, as always, you can expect nothing but the best possible service. All hotels are centrally located, making it very easy to get around when you go to explore the city on your own or check out one of the local restaurants.
The rooms are spacious and comfortable, equipped with everything you need for a stress-free stay and a good night's sleep. The featured hotels vary from 3-star to 5-star, but you can rest assured we've picked the best possible option.
But there is more! One of the program's highlights is a chance to spend a whole night in a traditional Mongolian yurt!
What to Know About RZHD Trains
Of course, exploring the wonders of the Trans-Siberian railway is still the highlight of this trip. And while there are a lot of branded trains serving the route, Russian Railways trains surely offer the most authentic experience. As mentioned above, for our Golden Program, we provide a detachable 1st-class train car!
Instead of spending all your time on a train, you get the chance to discover the whole diversity of Russian cities simply by catching the next one. Moreover, you don't have to be preoccupied with dragging your luggage on and off the trains because you can leave it in your lockable compartment as your 1st class train car will be detached in each city of your stay and reattached to the next train in one or two days. A pretty cool option, isn't it?
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First-class train cars are designed to accommodate two people and offer everything you need for a comfortable journey - you can read more information about the offered amenities and available travel classes on RZHD trains below. But there is something else you need to know about the regular Russian trains when planning a trip along the Trans-Siberian railway.
Each train has a restaurant car serving delicious food. However, keep in mind that paying by cards is not provided onboard all Russian trains, nor are there any ATMs on the train, so make sure you have enough cash with you beforehand! As for the bathrooms, they are located at each end of the train car. As a rule, regular trains lack showers. For this reason, if you decide to travel on such trains, breaking down your route is highly recommended.
